The Colorado Avalanche (40-10-4) visit the Arizona Coyotes (14-35-4) Thursday at Gila River Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we look at the Avalanche vs. Coyotes odds and lines, and make our expert NHL picks, predictions and bets.
Colorado scored three third-period goals in a 5-3 home win vs. the New York Islanders Tuesday. The Avs have started slowly in a couple of games recently, but they always seem to roar back. They’re 8-2-0 in the last 10 games.
The Coyotes have been sneaky tough lately, winning two of their last four. So while the records have quite the contrast, if you sleep on Arizona, you might leave town with an “L.” RW Clayton Keller led the way with 5 goals and 6 assists in 11games last month.
Avalanche at Coyotes odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:29 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Avalanche -400 (bet $400 to win $100) | Coyotes +300 (bet $100 to win $300)
- Against the spread (ATS): Avalanche -2.5 (+115) | Coyotes +2.5 (-145)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -102 | U: -122)
Avalanche at Coyotes projected goalies
Darcy Kuemper (27-6-2, 2.47 GAA, .919 SV%, 3 SO) vs. Karel Vejmelka (7-21-1, 3.51 GAA, .900 SV%, 1 SO)
Kuemper had a phenomenal February with a 5-1-1 record, a 1.98 GAA and a .938 SV% across seven starts. He lost to these Coyotes 3-2 in a shootout Feb. 1, saving 22 of 24 shots.
Vejmelka, Scott Wedgewood’s backup, will reportedly get the nod in net Thursday. Vejmelka is 1-7 in his last eight starts, and is coming off a 5-3 home loss to the Los Angeles Kings Feb. 19, surrendering 5 goals on 39 shots. The rookie lost to the Avs 5-0 at home Jan. 15, yielding 5 goals on 32 shots.
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Avalanche at Coyotes odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Avalanche 5, Coyotes 3
Money line
While the Avalanche (-400) only have 3 losses in their last 21 games, risking four times your return is not wise.
PASS and look to the spread.
Against the spread
PHOENIX +2.5 (-145) is the best bet on the board here – considering how well it has been playing. The Coyotes beat the Avs 3-2 in a shootout the last time the two met back on Feb. 1 in Denver.
Plus, the Coyotes only have been beaten by 2 or more goals once in the last 10 games. The Avs are priced based on their reputation and not how they have been playing.
Over/Under
Go for a slight lean to the OVER 6.5 (-102).
The Avalanche have posted 3.5 goals per game in their last 10 games, while the Coyotes have scored 2.8 goals per game in their last 10. The juice has shifted to the Under (-122), so maybe wait until closer to puck drop to see if the line drops 5.5.
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